Kronos as controller

[TheoG]

Hello.

I need some advice. Just bought a Kronos (hasn't arrived yet) and am forced to get rid of a keyboard for lack of space. I've been using a Roland A90 for many yrs- beautiful complex yet easiest to use on the fly controller with 4 MIDI outs that I've configured and connected to a MOTU midi express. In turn this is configured to matrix out my various modules and other boards.

I won;t be using the A90 when my new K arrives. Is there a simple way to use the Kronos as a controller with just a push of a button reconfigure into zones with each MIDI channel? Can I custom assign Performance mode template for something like this?

As I mentioned, the Kronos hasn't arrived yet so unable to play around with configurations and just want to know beforehand.

I've also considered a MIDI multi pedal foot controller (like the Behringer) but I know nothing about them. I would rather use something like that. Can it be configured to set up MIDI channel outs on a keyboard and switch between MIDI zone templates? That would be really cool and portable.

Thanks.

[X-Trade]

You can do everything you want in Combi mode. It's not a push-button exercise to get there but you could save a combi set up the way you like for your external gear, in setlist mode or something like that.

[TheoG]

No doubt it's more than capable for routine MIDI control I'm curious how elaborate the following example would be:

With the A90 I can play an intro on ch 1, then with the push of a button I add a layer mapped ch 2&3. Later sustain a pad chord on channel 2 , press another button turn off channels 1,2,3 and switch to split ch 1 and 5. The pad on ch 2 still sustained but not receiving active MIDI messages, then for a few bars release the sustain and apply it to what I'm actively playing.

Anyway, just an example of live performance going through several possible configurations, splits, layers just by pressing the right combination of buttons.

I fear that to achieve similar performance I;ll have to go through multiple pushes and screens on the K. Maybe I'm wrong.

I still want to know if a foot controller would allow this flexibility more easily.

Thanks.

[geoelectro]

All this can be done with multiple combinations. You can switch between combinations within the setlist. In fact, you may find less need for controlling external MIDI devices with all the powerful sounds in the Kronos.

I use two pedals. I can assign them to most any parameter of any sound. Seriously, the depth of control here is great.

Geo

[Shakil]

KRONOS can't really match MIDI controller features of A90.

1. Only 1 MIDI out port
2. The keyboard can play only one channel at a time. You can't play live MIDI on Channel 2 & 3 at the same time. KRONOS doesn't have MIDI OMNI, so the keyboard plays only on the Global MIDI Channel, or the currently selected track in Sequencer. You can layer tracks only by setting them to same MIDI channel.

[ed_f]

KRONOS can't really match MIDI controller features of A90.

1. Only 1 MIDI out port
2. The keyboard can play only one channel at a time. You can't play live MIDI on Channel 2 & 3 at the same time. KRONOS doesn't have MIDI OMNI, so the keyboard plays only on the Global MIDI Channel, or the currently selected track in Sequencer. You can layer tracks only by setting them to same MIDI channel.

#2 - If I am reading this right I think you are incorrect. In Combi mode you can set a timbre to EXT and different midi channels and and play live on multiple midi channels. From Combi Timbre Parameter Guide:

"If this is set to EXT or EX2, playing the KRONOS will transmit MIDI messages on the MIDI channel specified here."

[X-Trade]

KRONOS can't really match MIDI controller features of A90.

1. Only 1 MIDI out port
2. The keyboard can play only one channel at a time. You can't play live MIDI on Channel 2 & 3 at the same time. KRONOS doesn't have MIDI OMNI, so the keyboard plays only on the Global MIDI Channel, or the currently selected track in Sequencer. You can layer tracks only by setting them to same MIDI channel.

#2 - If I am reading this right I think you are incorrect. In Combi mode you can set a timbre to EXT and different midi channels and and play live on multiple midi channels. From Combi Timbre Parameter Guide:

"If this is set to EXT or EX2, playing the KRONOS will transmit MIDI messages on the MIDI channel specified here."

Yes. This is the basis of what I was suggesting originally.

Keep in mind the Kronos will always transmit on it's global channel too (default ch1). But your sound modules should be set to different channels anyway to do it properly.

This functionality can also be used to send patch and mixer changes to all of your external gear so you can have setups for each song. I've used this before (filtering out note and controller events) to set up my other keyboards in my live rig.

[ed_f]

KRONOS can't really match MIDI controller features of A90.

1. Only 1 MIDI out port
2. The keyboard can play only one channel at a time. You can't play live MIDI on Channel 2 & 3 at the same time. KRONOS doesn't have MIDI OMNI, so the keyboard plays only on the Global MIDI Channel, or the currently selected track in Sequencer. You can layer tracks only by setting them to same MIDI channel.

#2 - If I am reading this right I think you are incorrect. In Combi mode you can set a timbre to EXT and different midi channels and and play live on multiple midi channels. From Combi Timbre Parameter Guide:

"If this is set to EXT or EX2, playing the KRONOS will transmit MIDI messages on the MIDI channel specified here."

Yes. This is the basis of what I was suggesting originally.

Keep in mind the Kronos will always transmit on it's global channel too (default ch1). But your sound modules should be set to different channels anyway to do it properly.

This functionality can also be used to send patch and mixer changes to all of your external gear so you can have setups for each song. I've used this before (filtering out note and controller events) to set up my other keyboards in my live rig.

I assumed that is what you were saying and thought it was the correct answer. That is how I use my Kronos to control outboard gear.

[Shakil]

KRONOS can't really match MIDI controller features of A90.

1. Only 1 MIDI out port
2. The keyboard can play only one channel at a time. You can't play live MIDI on Channel 2 & 3 at the same time. KRONOS doesn't have MIDI OMNI, so the keyboard plays only on the Global MIDI Channel, or the currently selected track in Sequencer. You can layer tracks only by setting them to same MIDI channel.

#2 - If I am reading this right I think you are incorrect. In Combi mode you can set a timbre to EXT and different midi channels and and play live on multiple midi channels. From Combi Timbre Parameter Guide:

"If this is set to EXT or EX2, playing the KRONOS will transmit MIDI messages on the MIDI channel specified here."

Yes, you are right. If the status is set to EXT or EX2, then it will transmit to those midi channels to MIDI out, but not the internal timbres. The internal timbers can't be layered with different midi channels. The only way I can see this would be if you connected MIDI OUT port to MIDI INPUT with a cable. Or if you are looping MIDI back into KRONOS from the external modules.

[ed_f]

The internal timbers can't be layered with different midi channels. The only way I can see this would be if you connected MIDI OUT port to MIDI INPUT with a cable. Or if you are looping MIDI back into KRONOS from the external modules.

Don't really understand what you mean by this.

[X-Trade]

If you're layering internal timbres then setting them to the same MIDI channel is the way to go. They are going to have the same notes etc going to them (in a combi at least, definitely). I don't see why you'd want to set them to different channels in a combi but have them play the same thing.

Also that is not at all related to what the OP is asking. Controlling external modules is fine with EXT timbres set to different channels; up to as many as you need. You could even make an 'Omni mode' combi if you wanted by having an EXT timbre for every MIDI channel.

What you can also do is set an INT timbre to a different MIDI channel and it will respond to a MIDI controller inputting to the Kronos on that channel, which is also handy.


One thing you can not do is route KARMA to two different MIDI channels - (again, why would you want to?) you can still route it to two timbres because they are on the same MIDI channel, but it may require additional fiddling around if you want an INT and an EXT on the same KARMA module (just change the INT channel to match your external device channel. output KARMA to that channel). And it would be impossible to have two EXT channels on the same KARMA module.

[TheoG]

This is great. I'm getting a sense of the different possibilities and I think that I'll find a working setup to do what I need. I am at a definite disadvantage since I don't even have the K yet to test things out. I can also change the templates directly on the MOTU midi express in case of an impasse.

And thanks for that info about Karma routing. It's like what was mentioned, I may not even need to use external sources, especially if I can load samples directly in the Kronos instead of the Kurz.

[Scott]

KRONOS can't really match MIDI controller features of A90.

1. Only 1 MIDI out port
2. The keyboard can play only one channel at a time. You can't play live MIDI on Channel 2 & 3 at the same time. KRONOS doesn't have MIDI OMNI, so the keyboard plays only on the Global MIDI Channel, or the currently selected track in Sequencer. You can layer tracks only by setting them to same MIDI channel.

#2 - If I am reading this right I think you are incorrect. In Combi mode you can set a timbre to EXT and different midi channels and and play live on multiple midi channels. From Combi Timbre Parameter Guide:

"If this is set to EXT or EX2, playing the KRONOS will transmit MIDI messages on the MIDI channel specified here."

And #1 really isn't an issue these days. Multiple Outs were more important in the days when it was common to find devices that only responded in OMNI ON mode, so unless you had separate outs, there was no way to address multiple such modules individually. That's not really a problem anymore (and there are other ways to address it if you still have a piece like that you need to use, i.e. external channel filters). As for just controlling numerous devices, if necessary, a Thru Box is simple enough to add.

[Shakil]

KRONOS can't really match MIDI controller features of A90.

1. Only 1 MIDI out port
2. The keyboard can play only one channel at a time. You can't play live MIDI on Channel 2 & 3 at the same time. KRONOS doesn't have MIDI OMNI, so the keyboard plays only on the Global MIDI Channel, or the currently selected track in Sequencer. You can layer tracks only by setting them to same MIDI channel.

#2 - If I am reading this right I think you are incorrect. In Combi mode you can set a timbre to EXT and different midi channels and and play live on multiple midi channels. From Combi Timbre Parameter Guide:

"If this is set to EXT or EX2, playing the KRONOS will transmit MIDI messages on the MIDI channel specified here."

And #1 really isn't an issue these days. Multiple Outs were more important in the days when it was common to find devices that only responded in OMNI ON mode, so unless you had separate outs, there was no way to address multiple such modules individually. That's not really a problem anymore (and there are other ways to address it if you still have a piece like that you need to use, i.e. external channel filters). As for just controlling numerous devices, if necessary, a Thru Box is simple enough to add.

Multiple MIDI ports also give you 16 channels x each MIDI port.... so that way you can have large number of tracks/layers running at the same time using different sound generators... But to really take advantage of that you need a MIDI sequencer that has more than 16 tracks/channels, like MPCs, Fantom-G, ... etc.

[Scott]

Multiple MIDI ports also give you 16 channels x each MIDI port.... .

Ah, good point! Though again, today, anyone needing that is probably using a computer-based sequencer, and that can also easily be addressed with current computer-MIDI interfaces.